Why do people feel like they’re being watched, even when no one is there? | Live Science

July 2, 2024July 1, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

You’re alone and suddenly have the sneaking suspicion that someone’s there. Maybe you watched a scary movie or read the latest thriller novel and wonder if there’s a killer lurking in your room. You look around and open the closet door, but no one’s there. So why does your mind make you feel as if you were being watched?

According to Leslie Dobson, a clinical and forensic psychologist, there are a number of reasons why someone may feel as if they are being watched. These causes span a broad spectrum, including exposure to scary books, movies or news; hypervigilance following a stressful or traumatic event; and serious mental health conditions.

“In more extreme cases, a person may experience paranoia and hypervigilance, often related to an underlying mental health condition or physical brain ailment,” Dobson said in a written message.

Why genetic testing can’t always reveal the sex of a baby | Live Science

July 2, 2024July 1, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Gender reveal parties are best known as celebrations involving pink and blue, cake and confetti, and the occasional wildfire. Along with being social media hits, gender reveals are a testament to how society is squeezing children into one of two predetermined gender boxes before they are even born.

These parties are often based on the 18- to 20-week ultrasound, otherwise known as the anatomy scan. This is the point during fetal development when the genitals are typically observed and the word “boy” or “girl” can be secretly written on a piece of paper and placed into an envelope for the planned reveal.

Now there is a new player in the gender reveal game: genetic screening.

Solutions: Stuck in the Daily Grind | LifeHack

July 1, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you’re a driven professional juggling work, family, and personal responsibilities, you know the struggle of procrastination all too well. It’s that nagging feeling of putting things off until the last minute—whether it’s an important work project, a personal goal, or simply making time for yourself.

That was the situation 29-year-old John found himself in. As a talented freelance graphic designer with ambitious plans to grow his business, procrastination was holding him back from operating at his full potential.

On paper, John seemed to have it all together. He’s a creative guy with a solid education and an array of interests like playing guitar and exploring new design technologies. But behind the scenes, a persistent pattern of procrastination left him delaying projects until the eleventh hour, derailing his productivity and growth.

CRM Software and HIPAA | businessnewsdaily.com

July 1, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

As a healthcare provider, ensuring patient data security and privacy is as crucial as delivering medical care itself. Patients have a legal right to data security and privacy, which are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law governs all devices containing or transmitting protected health information (PHI), including customer relationship management (CRM) software.

While CRM software offers significant benefits to healthcare organizations, the CRM system you choose must be properly secured and monitored. Healthcare organizations are prime targets for cyberattacks, with approximately 374,000 healthcare records breached daily in 2023, according to The HIPAA Journal. Below, we’ll explore CRM usage in healthcare and the importance of finding a HIPAA-compliant CRM to safeguard patient data.

Signs It’s Time to Buy a New PC | businessnewsdaily.com

June 26, 2024June 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When a computer begins to slow down or shows other signs the end is near, it’s tempting to start searching online for a replacement. However, there’s a lot to consider when you’re deciding whether to upgrade a PC, particularly in a business setting. The costs add up, especially when you’re adding multiple machines to your technology fleet, even a small one.

Questions like “How long do computers last?” and “What is the average laptop’s lifespan?” are usually top of mind when you weigh the pros and cons of buying new computers vs. managing a little bit longer before you take the financial plunge. Here are answers to common questions about the lifespan of business laptops and desktops, signs it might be time to purchase new hardware, and information about the costs involved.

How to Become a Better Business Owner | All Business

June 24, 2024June 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

By the time you realize that being an entrepreneur is a lifelong journey, you’ve already solidified a lot of the patterns and practices you use to run your business. In my mind, analyzing those habits and ways of doing business, and tweaking them where necessary, can help you improve, no matter how many times you’ve been around the block.

I have come up with four tips on how to become a better business owner, many of which rely on bringing more mindfulness into business. These tips aren’t about working more or making more money. In fact, they may seem to be quite the opposite. And yet, I’ve seen business owners not only become happier when they shift how they operate but also more financially successful.

How to Reduce Digital Distraction at Work | All Business

June 24, 2024June 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When it comes to technology, most of us are grateful for it. Computers make everything easier—from researching information to communicating with friends and colleagues—and even once basic devices like phones and cars are getting high-tech makeovers to do more, faster and better.

At the same time, there are critical drawbacks that occasionally prevent technology from working in our favor. When you lose your Internet connection, you’re practically helpless. When you do research, it’s easy to get distracted by peripheral tasks. When you’re online, you’re constantly getting messaged and distracted from your work. Ultimately, is technology increasing or decreasing our productivity?

The results are mixed. Online productivity statistics suggest that workers, on average, are only productive for a few hours on the computer during a typical eight-hour workday. Yet, at the same time, Internet access gives us more contact, more information, and greater speed—so those hours might be even more productive than a longer period of work just 20 years ago. The New York Times reports that our productivity has been increasing over the past few years, though at the low rate of just about 1 percent annually.

What Types of POS Systems Are There? | Business

June 20, 2024June 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Across all industries, point-of-sale (POS) systems are a commonplace tool that helps businesses to efficiently process transactions and manage their day-to-day operations. POS options for businesses range from simple mobile payment processors to those that can manage large multi-location businesses. POS systems offer features that make running your business easier, plus those like loyalty programs and discounts make POS systems attractive to customers.

What is a POS system?

POS systems facilitate transactions, allowing customers to make a purchase and pay applicable sales tax. A POS is often thought of as an internal store terminal. However, virtual POS systems are often used for online shopping.

Top restaurant POS systems are replacing traditional cash registers quickly because of their convenience and ease of use. POS systems can also be mobile, which allows payment to be made where the customer is, such as at their table in a restaurant. POS tablets for restaurants are becoming popular in the food service industry to facilitate payment processing and inventory management.

5 Warning Signs You Need to Outsource Your HR | Bussiness

June 20, 2024June 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Your company’s human resources (HR) chief is responsible for many critical aspects of your workforce. They’re tasked with finding, hiring, training and assessing the performance of your employees. Your HR team is also responsible for developing an appealing culture and ensuring the company complies with all labor and employment laws. They may also oversee payroll. If you have unionized employees, HR is the liaison between your company and the union. To say that HR carries responsibility for your company’s success is an understatement.

What is HR outsourcing?

HR outsourcing is exactly what it sounds like. It is handing off some or all of your HR functions to a third party. This can be an alternative to hiring an internal HR department or used in tandem with an in-house HR professional who handles some of your HR responsibilities.

Outsourced HR services depend on the contract between the company and the provider. The client service agreement often asks the contractor to handle payroll by managing all withholdings and taxes. The HR company may also be in charge of releasing all W-2s to worksite employees. You may also use the outsourced service to manage employee benefits or retirement plans.